AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 30, 3 May 1845, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

By the Lady of the Lake, we have received the Southern Cross of the 12th April, from which we make the following extracts. Our readers will find in the fir&t page the Property Rate^ Repeal Ordinance. On the morning of the sth April, a most extraordinary resolution was adopted by the Legislative Council, at the suggestion of His Excellency the Governor, to the effect that it was expedient tore-enact the late iniquitous Customs' laws, in order to raise a revenue sufficient to maintain the official vampires that are sucking the last drop of blood from the unfortunate settlers of this impoverished and ruined colony ; accordingly, on Tuesday last, we attended with others the Legislative Council, and a more painful and degrading scene, we honestly confess, we never before witnessed. When we remember His Excellency's statements to various parties, before even his arrival in the colony, about Free Trade, and look at the measure which was passed on Tuesday last, abolishing one of the greatest blessings that can be bestowed on Colony, we can come to only one deliberate conclusion, and that is, that His Excellency has in verity taken leave of his senses, and that until he be superseded in his appointment, this unfortunate colony is doomed to suffer all the freaks and mishaps that attend the career of a confirmed lunatic ; to imagine for one moment that any man in his sober senses would deliberately put to his Council the measure which was submitted and passed almost at the point of the bayonet, on Tuesday last, after* the reiterated opinion expressed by His Excellency about Free, Trade ; would be to suppose that common

sense had given up the idea of legislating for this colony, and that every person residing in it was as mad as the originator of the measure" himself. The Property Rate Repeal Ordinance was passed in one day, His Excellency remarking, that in times of difficulty and danger, the nonofficial members should rather be assisting the "Government instead of thwarting them, and if they did not choose to give way, that he should use his legitimate influence with his paid vampyres, and carry his measures nolens volens — and -as if to satisfy the members that he was firm in his determination, the " Ordinance" was actually brought into the Council ready engrossed on Parchment, and tvith the official seal of the Colony attached, waiting his signature ! ! ! After such a specimen as this of a Legislative Council deliberating or attempting to deliberate on measures, it would be the height of absurdity to suppose that any good could be accomplished for New Zealand, if the sitting members wereso able or willing to vote for popular measures." In all the arguments used on previous occasions about Customs, it was shewn that the Revenuewas decreasing daily, whilst the expense of collecting it was the same — this tended so show: that the people were too poor to consume much spirits and tobacco (which were the principal articles from which a revenue was derived), and the duties were consequently abolished. — That it has not realized as much as was expected, we readily believe, but that has been principally/rom the southern settlers not having been pnrtn possession of their lands, and consequently having no real property for which they would legitimately be called upon to pay. If the lunatic and impolitic measures which have all along tended to retard the advancement of this colony, had wanted one crowning act to complete it, the re-enactment of the Customs' Laws was the very one that was required ; and instead of looking forward that the previous measures were for the good of the colony, and that affairs would change for the better ere long; we may safely say that the prosperity of the colony is now irretrievably ruined. We were much amused at some persons who attended the Council, to see the satisfaction which they enjoyed from two sources; the first, at seeing the lamentable want of consistency in His Excellency's acts, notwithstanding the organ of firmness stands so prominently developed on his pericranium ; and secondly, from knowing that the oppression which this measure will bring on the settlers, will be for their advantage, smuggling will again go ahead, and gin palaces be no longer converted into barracks ; the old and w&afe v -clique will now again prosper, «nd fatten on the*vitals of the community. The honest and bona fide trader will again have to struggle and compete-with the dishonest and instead of seeing a -flourishing and wealthy settlement increasing every day, there will be no persons either of capital or common sense who will think of embarking their means in a colony like this ; which is-cursed by a Governor, without one particle of consistency, or the common -dictates of prudence. We cannot help exclaiming with our southern contemporary, and yet " Governor Fitzroy -will not resign !"

It was rumoured that his Excellency intended to resign the reins of Government into other hands, and many persons attended the Council chamher on Tuesday, fully expecting the consummation of so desirable an event; hut it would appear that his Excellency is still hackward in believing that the colony is ruined, and is determined to remain until the Government House is actually pulled down about his ears. ■Concentration seems now his Excellency's watch-word, and after ruining the Bay of Islands, and causing .upwards of 600 souls to be conveyed to the capital, he is expecting that these poor starving people are to pay duties on every thing that they consume.

REFUGEES FROM THE BAY OF ISLANDS. On Monday night last, H. M. S. North Star, Captain Sir E. Home, Bart., arrived in the. harbour, from the Bay of Islands, and brought , nearly ninety more persons, who have been^m- j pelled to leave their homes to seek new abodes and occupation in this district. We understand that there still remain about one hundred more persons in the Bay of Islands and neighbourhood, waiting an opportunity to come here also: We know not the views or intentions of thd' Local Government towards the very numerous unfortunate persons, driven from various pursuits, now congregated iv Auckland; but we would suggest that they should immediately have land allotted to them, so that they may erect dwellings, and in some degree obtain \ subsistence by raising food. In the destitute condition and unforeseen circumstances, for which they themselves are not blamable, all common ordinary rules or regulations should be discarded. To those who were agriculturists at the Bay, or its neighbourhood, land should be given by the Government in this district : and to those who had dwellings, and were following some trade in Kororarika, allotments, or parts of allotments, should be given in the town ; this might be done on a principle of exchange, the lands at Kororarika reverting to Government. -, v

The following letter, extracted from the Southern Cross, is written by Mr. Chapman the missionary, and gives a detailed account of Heki's proceedings, which, coming from such a source, will be above suspicion : — Waimate, April 3, 1845. Dear Friends, — I arrived here on Wednesday evening; I found all the roads blockaded, and could not proceed. Heki and his force had gone the day before, and taken a dray and bullocks to draw a great gun they had taken from Kororarika with them, to the stone pa on Thursday morning. They commenced action on the plains between the pa and the bush. The road leading to Hokianga was crowded with Heki's men, so that I could not pass. Nene and Repa, with the chiefs of Hokianga, were strongly posted in front of the bush, where they had got their pa, and Repa with his party only decoyed them on, and opened fire : they retreated ; Heki rallied his men until they got nigh to Nene's pa, and a heavy fire commenced on both sides ; Heki retreated with the loss of one man and five wounded. Nene lost by accident, one before the action commenced, and one wounded in the hand. The Rev, Mr. Burrows rode out to see Nene's brother, and t* know whether he would return by the North Star; he refused until the matter is settled. The balls fell around him in all directions, but he returned quite safe. To-morrow we expect will be the great day. Nene is getting reinforcements every day ; they are in high spirits, wrtfc the colours flying on their pa. Heki seems afraid tolead his men, but leaves it to others. I ' and others were standing on the high hill Pukanui, | watching the whole of his proceedings with glasses. It is the prayer of every European here, that the worthy Nene and Repa, with other chiefs and their valiant men, , will gain the victory over their rival Heki, and restore ' peace. A. Chapman. To Messrs. Gundry & M'Donald.

By the arrival of the schooner Russel from the Bay of Islands, on Thursday morning, we learn that a reconciliation has taken place between the contending natives in that neighbourhood. After the first skirmish between them, a horero took place, in which Heki declared that in his attacks on the .flag-staff and military, he had been actuated by no motive of personal aggrandizement, but for the honour and interest of all native chiefs. After the usual discussion, Heki and Nene shook hands. ' 0